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Tuesday’s layoff announcement at Rogers sent shockwaves as it decided to end all of OmniTV’s produced diversity programming, which included Ukrainian news show Svitohliad. Other notable diversity programming included Polish, Greek, Japanese and Tamil. The channel has been airing multilingual television since 1972, bought by Rogers in 1985 and re-branded as Omni1 and Omni2 in 2002.

Svitohliad was a flagship show for the Ukrainian community, as OmniTV was one of the few stations to air ethnic programming as part of their regular schedule. It covered community events, interviews with notable figures and even news segments from Ukraine.

While certainly not as profitable as importing popular American programming (which all Canadian networks are very guilty of, with notable exception to the CBC), OmniTV showcased Canada’s multicultural landscape with homegrown television. The announcement forces viewers who want multicultural programming onto Rogers’ premium international channels which feature Polish and Russian channels, but not Ukrainian. For that you still need to watch over the internet on sites like UkrainaTV.

The ending for Svitohliad came rather abrupt and unannounced, as the show never established an online presence to branch out, connect, provide updates or post show archives. There is no word yet on the other Ukrainian show on OmniTV, Kontakt, which is not produced by Omni as it is an independent venture. Luckily Kontakt has an online presence too, where they do post their shows.

Oshawa’s Fiesta Week kicked off this week and runs until this weekend (June 17-23). Fiesta Week could simply be described as “A TASTE OF DURHAM”. It’s an annual week-long Multicultural Family Festival that gives the residents of Durham Region the opportunity to experience European, Asian and Caribbean cultures and foods without having to get on a plane. They are featuring 2 Ukrainian pavilions this year:

A Fiesta passport is required to enter a pavilion. Passports are available at all pavilions during Fiesta Week.

It was the blunder seen all across the world as Ukraine’s chances to advance in the EuroCup were dashed by a shotty call by a nearby referee who claimed this was not a goal in today’s 1-0 final against England:

"What can I say? There are five referees on the pitch and the ball was half a metre over the line," Ukraine coach Oleg Blokhin, who remonstrated angrily with the fourth official at the time, told reporters.

Unfortunately FIFA does not institute video replays or goal-line technology in its decision making, as the duty solely rests on the referees – who was only metres away from that goal. Ironically it was England that suffered a similar fate against Germany two years ago in South Africa. Had the goal been allowed, Ukraine would have tied up the match, but still needed a win to advance against Italy in the next round.

Shevchenko’s contract with current side Dynamo Kiev expires next month and a move to Major League Soccer in the United States in rumoured. The striker confirmed that he hopes to arrange a final, 112th appearance for his country in the coming weeks.

"I just want to play one more game to say goodbye, just for my family and friends and all the fans who have supported me for many, many years.

"For everyone the time [to retire from football] comes."

Shevchenko said Ukraine deserved better than their elimination at England’s hands, especially after Marko Devic’s effort was hooked out of the goal by England defender John Terry after the ball appeared to have crossed the line.

"We deserved more today," he told BBC Sport. "We played well, created chances and of course scored a goal.

"It’s difficult for us. We’re out of the competition. That’s the reality.

"[Scoring a goal] would have made a big difference. If we score we’re buzzing and we’ll maybe win a game. The referee was there, very close."

Дати Mатчів ~ Game Dates

June 8 червня Doors Open 10AM POL v. GRE, RUS v. CZH
June11 червня Doors Open 2PM Ukraine V. Sweden
June15 червня Doors Open 11AM Ukraine v. France
June 19 червня Doors Open 1:30PM Ukraine V England
July 1 липня Doors Open 1PM FINAL in Kyiv
*Ми також покажемо будь-яких квартал Фінальні матчі та матчі
півфіналу на якій Україна переходить…
We will also show any and all Quarter and Semi Finals
that Ukraine qualifies for, check unftoronto.com for details…All other “Non-Ukraine” games will be playing on the large screen TV’s in the UNO’s Cafe, drop in and watch all of the EURO2012 Action!

August 3-5

Dauphin, MB

In the fresh air and sunshine, enjoy the incredible view and watch the world-class grandstand shows from the only 11,000-seat, hillside amphitheatre in Canada. Authentic, rich, uniquely Ukrainian and ultimately… delicious! Excite your senses with our all-day-available traditional cuisine. As we tell our stories through costume, song and dance, you will literally see and feel the past come alive. For one whole weekend, escape to become immersed in a new adventure. Let us put a fiddle in your hands, show you a few steps and teach you some Ukrainian songs. Then celebrate with us at the nightly Zabavas; parties thrown in honour of our guests… you!

August 4-6

Edmonton, AB

Vitaemo. Welcome to the Ukrainian Pavilion as we celebrate over 120 years of Ukrainian settlement in Canada. Come and experience the wondrous sights and sounds of our culture on our large outdoor entertainment stage, learn about our heritage in the Arts & Crafts tent, and savour our culinary favourites in the Food tent.

Here at the Servus Heritage Festival, delight in the beautiful Ukrainian traditional artisan crafts such as pysanky (Easter eggs), embroidery, weaving, jewellery, ceramics, as well as contemporary visual arts. Learn about Ukrainian roots through the genealogical and folklore displays. Watch the lively regional dancing and listen to some of our most talented musicians.

August 12

Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, Alberta

A celebration of all things Ukrainian past and present, Ukrainian Day recognizes the rich tapestry of Alberta’s Ukrainian community today.

Ukrainian Day starts with a pancake breakfast, followed by divine liturgies, memorial services and recognition of east central Alberta’s centennial pioneer families. An afternoon concert features some of the finest musicians, dancers and performers. The ‘Taste of Ukraine’ food fair, the Ukrainian Community Showcase & Art Sale help enrich this celebration of Ukrainian culture, heritage in Alberta. This signature event is co-hosted by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Alberta Provincial Council.

Learn about the Bukovyna Region of Ukraine, a historical region on the slopes of the Carpathian Mountains and the adjoining rolling green plains, and take in our explosive show featuring Ukrainian Comedian, Metro, and the Zoloto Ukrainian Dance Ensemble & Company.

After the show feel free to take a spin on the dance floor to the music of BMW.

Children can also have fun learning how to make Ukrainian paper dolls or join in on a mini Ukrainian Dance class.

August 17-18, 2012

Windsor, ON

The festival will be held at St. Vladimir Orthodox Cathedral (2000 Tecumseh Rd, East). The festival will begin at 6:00PM on the Friday and end at 1:00AM. On Saturday it will run from 12:00PM (noon) to 1:00AM.

August 16-19, 2012

Rochester, NY

The St. Josaphat’s Ukrainian Festival was established in 1973 as an effort to introduce Ukrainian Arts and Crafts, Ukrainian food, and Ukrainian music and dance to the Rochester community. Since its inception the Festival has offered tradition Ukrainian foods such as Varenyky (or pyrohy or pierogies) a potato and cheese dumpling, Holubets (stuffed cabbage rolls), Kovbasa (Ukrainian sausage), Kapusta (Ukrainian style sauerkraut) and Borsch (beet soup) to the public. The Festival also has a number of vendors who display a variety of Ukrainian Arts and Crafts such as ceramics, embroidery, wood carvings, jewelry and Ukrainian Easter eggs. The Ukrainian Stage offers a variety of entertainment including Tradition Ukrainian Folk Dancers and Singers both from Rochester, New York and Canada.

August 25

Regina, SK

Ukrainian Canadian Congress-Regina Branch proudly announces its annual outdoor cultural festival! The event aims to celebrate Ukrainian-Canadian culture and recognize its people’s contributions to Canadian society at all levels. UCC Regina Branch coordinates the activities for 19 Ukrainian cultural organizations of very dedicated volunteers in our city and this event! Come and Celebrate with us! Bring a lawnchair for your seating comfort!

August 26

Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, Alberta

Catch the musical magic at the Friends’ Ukrainian Music Festival featuring an array of the region’s finest Ukrainian folk musicians. This dynamic event encompasses an abundance of entertainment, exhibits, children’s activities, a village market, and delicious foods. Visit the Historic Village where you can enjoy wagon rides and chat with historic settlers as they go about their daily routines.

August 26 San Francisco, CA

September 7-9

Montreal, PQ

Quebec’s Ukrainian community is 18,000 strong with active members in the development of Quebec in areas of art, culture, politics and business. In Canada, Ukrainians constitute more than 1,000,000 in population. Ukraine is an independent democratic state in Eastern Europe with more than 50 million people living in an area of 603,700 sq. km, an area larger than France and fifth in size by population in Europe

September 14-16

Toronto, ON

The Festival was born in 1995 as the result of the twinning of Toronto and Kyiv. It then came under the umbrella of Ukrainian Canadian Congress Toronto Branch as one of its projects. While attendance in the first year was estimated at 3,000, within ten years the Festival has grown to attract audiences of 350,000.

The Toronto Ukrainian Festival is a celebration of Toronto’s diversity. It has established itself as one of the premier Ukrainian festivals in North America. The Festival takes pride in showcasing contemporary professional and amateur artists and performers of Ukrainian heritage who celebrate Ukrainian culture through music, dance and visual arts.